System and method of enhanced caller-ID display using a personal address book

ABSTRACT

In one particular embodiment, a method includes receiving at a set-top box a call signal including a caller identifier from a network, where the caller identifier includes a calling number and a billing name associated with the calling number. An alias (or display name) associated with the calling number is retrieved from a personal address book stored in a memory of the set-top box. A modified caller identifier including the calling number and the alias is provided to a display device.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The present disclosure is generally related to systems and methods ofproviding enhanced caller ID functionality.

BACKGROUND

Conventionally, telephone networks are capable of providing calling nameand number services to subscribers. Typically, Voice over IP (VoIP)networks, like the Time Division Multiplex (TDM) based Public SwitchedTelephone Network (PSTN), pull the billing (or subscriber) nameinformation from Line Information Databases (LIDBs).

Some VoIP service providers allow customers to use their existing analogtelephone sets by connecting their phone sets to an Analog TelephonyAdapter (ATA). The ATA provides the analog signals needed to transmitcalling number and billing name information to the attached analogtelephone sets.

While billing name information retrieved from the LIDBs is generallyaccurate, the name identifier may not accurately identify the caller.For example, a caller may be known by a nickname, while the billinginformation may refer to the caller's legal name. As another example, acall placed from a business phone may identify the business, but not thecaller.

As a result, customer premises equipment (CPE) or carrier equipment hasbeen adapted to substitute the name of the caller from a personaladdress book (PAB) record containing a matching telephone number.Unfortunately, for this type of caller ID system to work, the personaladdress book is stored either in the called telephone or in the carrier.

There is an on-going need for an enhanced caller ID system thatcorrectly identifies the caller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system toprovide enhanced caller identification via a set-top box using apersonal address book;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a system toprovide enhanced caller identification via a set-top box using apersonal address book;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system toprovide enhanced caller identification in a Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) analog telephony adapter;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system toprovide enhanced caller identification via a multi-function unit using apersonal address book;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system including a multi-function unit toprovide enhanced caller identification functions;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method of providing enhanced calleridentification using a personal address book;

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a method of providing enhanced calleridentification using a personal address book at a server;

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a method of configuring a multi-functionunit to perform the enhanced caller identification using one or morepersonal address books according to user preferences; and

FIG. 9 is a block diagram that is representative of a general computersystem on a personal address book may be stored and accessed.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In one particular embodiment, a method includes receiving at a set-topbox a call signal including a caller identifier from a network, wherethe caller identifier includes a calling number and a billing nameassociated with the calling number. An alias (or display name)associated with the calling number is retrieved from a personal addressbook stored in a memory of the set-top box. A modified caller identifierincluding the calling number and the alias is provided to a displaydevice.

In another particular embodiment, a set-top box includes a memory tostore a personal address book and logic that is coupled to a displaydevice, to the memory, and to a public switched telephone network. Thelogic receives a call signal including a calling number and a billingname from the public switched telephone network and retrieves an aliasfrom the personal address book corresponding to the calling number. Thelogic provides the calling number and the alias to the display devicewhen the calling number matches a calling number of the personal addressbook.

In yet another particular embodiment, a processor readable mediumembodies processor readable instructions to provide enhanced calleridentification functions. The processor readable instructions includeinstructions to search a personal address book for a stored numbercorresponding to a calling number in response to receiving a calleridentifier including the calling number and an associated billing name,instructions to retrieve an alias associated with the calling numberfrom the personal address book, and instructions to generate the outputsignal including the calling number and the alias. In a particularembodiment, the processor readable instructions include instructions todefine a schedule to synchronize the personal address book to the secondpersonal address book. In still another particular embodiment, theprocessor readable instructions include instructions to define a searchorder to search the personal address book and the second personaladdress book.

In another particular embodiment, a method includes receiving at ananalog telephony adapter (ATA) unit a Voice over Internet Protocol(VoIP) call signal including a caller identifier, where the calleridentifier including a calling number. An alias (display name)associated with the calling number is retrieved from a personal addressbook. A modified caller identifier including the calling number and thealias are provided to a caller ID device. In a particular embodiment,the modified caller identifier is provided to a set-top box adapted toprovide the modified caller identifier to a display device. In anotherparticular embodiment, the method includes storing calling numbers andassociated alias information in the second personal address book andsynchronizing the personal address book to the second personal addressbook in a memory coupled to the set-top box.

In still another particular embodiment, a multi-function unit includes amemory to store a personal address book and logic coupled to the memoryand to a public switched telephone network. The logic receives a Voiceover Internet Protocol (VoIP) call signal including a calling number andfrom the public switched telephone network, retrieves an alias from thepersonal address book corresponding to the calling number, and providesthe calling number and the alias to a caller ID device when the callingnumber matches a calling number of the personal address book.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system 100to provide enhanced caller identification via a set-top box using apersonal address book. The system 100 includes a set-top box 108 at acustomer premises 104, which is coupled to a public switched telephonenetwork (PSTN) 102 via a plain old telephone service (POTS) connection.The PSTN includes a line information database (LIDB) 106. The customerpremises may include a display 110, the set-top box 108, a phone 112,and a caller identification (ID) device 114.

The set-top box 108 is connected to a display, such as television 110.Additionally, the set-top box 108 includes a call log 116, a personaladdress book (PAB) 118, logic 120, and a network interface 122. Thenetwork interface 122 couples the set-top box to other devices, such asa portable computer 124, via a home network 126. The portable computer124 may include a personal address book (PAB) 128 and a call log 130.

In general, the PABs 118 and 128 include one or more records, where eachrecord includes a phone number and an associated alias or name. The PABs118 and 128 may also include other information associated with thealias. For example, the PAB 128 may include address information,birthdate information, and the like.

In operation, a customer may utilize the portable computer 124 to createa PAB 128. Alternatively, the customer may utilize the portable computer124 to add names to the PAB 118 via the home network 126. In anotherembodiment, the logic 120 may be configured to provide a user interfaceaccessible to a remote control 132 associated with the set-top box 104or accessible to the portable computer 124 to configure the PAB 118. Inyet another embodiment, the logic 120 may be configured to accessmultiple PABs, such as the PAB 118 and the PAB 128, in a user-specifiedorder. In another embodiment, the logic 120 may be adapted tosynchronize the PAB 118 to the PAB 128.

When a caller dials a phone number associated with a phone serviceprovided to a customer of the customer premises 104, the call isreceived by the PSTN 102, which uses the calling number of the caller tosearch the LIDB 106 to identify a billing name associated with thecalling number, assuming that the customer has subscribed to receivecaller ID services from the PSTN 102. The PSTN 102 includes logic toprovide the calling number or the calling number and a billing name tothe set-top box 108 via the POTS connection. It should be understoodthat customers may subscribe for caller ID services from the PSTN 102 orthey may choose not to subscribe. Additionally, there may be tierswithin the caller ID services such as calling number only, billing nameand calling number, and so on.

The set-top box 108 receives a call request from the PSTN 102 togetherwith the calling number and optionally the billing name. The logic 120of the set-top box 108 searches the PAB 118 for a phone number thatmatches the calling number. If a match is found, a name associated withthe phone number within the PAB 118 is retrieved. The logic 120 eitherreplaces the billing name of the calling number with the name from thePAB 118 or supplements the calling number with the name.

In one particular example, Roberta Smith may be the caller and she maybe the mother of the called party. The set-top box 108 receives the callrequest from the PSTN 102. The call request includes the caller IDinformation from the LIDB 106, including a calling number and thebilling name “Roberta Smith.” The logic 120 of the set-top box 108searches the PAB 118 for a matching phone number. If no match is found,the set-top box 108 provides the caller ID information to the displaydevice 110 for display. If a match is found, the logic 120 replaces thecalling name “Roberta Smith” with an alias, “Mom,” from the PAB 118 toproduce a modified caller ID. The modified caller ID information isprovided to the display device 110 by the set-top box 108. Additionally,the modified caller ID information may be written to the call log 116together with the date and time of the call.

In another particular example, the set-top box 108 receives the callrequest from the PSTN 102, including the calling number and the billingname “Roberta Smith.” The logic 120 of the set-top box 108 searches thePAB 118 and finds no match. The logic 120 accesses PAB 128, which is ashared resource of the portable computer 124, and searches the PAB 128for a match. If a match is found, the logic 120 replaces the callingname of the caller ID information with an alias from the PAB 128 toproduce the modified caller ID information. The logic 120 provides themodified caller ID information to the display 110. In general, theparticular order in which the logic 120 searches the PABs 118 and 128may be specified by a user via the remote 132 or via the portablecomputer 124. In a particular embodiment, the logic 120 may be adaptedto synchronize the PAB 118 to the PAB 128 via the home network 126. Thelogic 120 may be adapted to perform the synchronization at regular timeintervals, at a pre-determined time, and so on.

By modifying the caller ID information to include information from aPAB, an incoming call can be identified correctly, even if the billingname of the caller is blocked, the PABs 118 and 128 may be used toprovide a name or alias associated with the calling number. Moreover,the modified caller ID information may be recorded in the call log 116and/or call log 130 to correctly identify the caller. Moreover, thelogic 120 may be adapted to generate a missed call notification, such asan email message, including the modified caller ID information, such asthe calling number and the display name from one of the PABs, when thecall is not answered by the subscriber. In another particularembodiment, the set-top box 108 may be provided with logic 120 and amemory to record a message from a caller, and to transmit the message asan attachment to the missed call notification. In this manner, themissed call notification can correctly identify the caller, such as in asubject line of an email type notification, an instant message typenotification, a pager-type notification, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an alternate embodiment of a system 200 toprovide enhanced caller identification via a set-top box using apersonal address book. The system 200 includes a set-top box 108 of acustomer premises 104, including a call log 116, a PAB 118, and anetwork interface 122. The system 200 also includes a display device110, one or more analog phones 112, a caller ID device 114, a portablecomputer 124, a PAB 128, and a call log 130. The set-top box 108 isconnected to a public switched telephone network (PSTN) 102, whichincludes a line information database (LIDB) 106 and a PAB 202. The PSTN102 is connected to a call control center 204, which also includes a PAB206. The customer premises 104 also includes a home network 126, whichis connected to a wide area network (such as the Internet 208) via anInternet service provider (ISP) 210. The ISP 210 also includes a PAB212.

In operation, a caller dials a telephone number associated with thecustomer premises. The PSTN 102 receives the call request. The PSTN 102includes logic adapted to search the LIDB 106 for a billing nameassociated with the calling number. Depending on the particularcustomer, the PSTN 102 may search the PAB 202 and/or the PAB 206 to finda match. If a match is found, the PSTN 102 can forward caller IDinformation, including the calling number and the alias or name from oneof the PABs 202 or 206, to the set-top box 108. The set-top box 108 iscoupled to the display device 110 to display the caller ID information.

Alternatively, the set-top box 108 includes logic to search the localPAB 118 and/or PAB 128 of the portable computer 124. In yet anotherembodiment, the set-top box 108 may include logic to search PAB 212stored by the ISP 210. The set-top box 108 may be configured to searchmultiple PABs in a particular user-specified order. Alternatively, asingle PAB may be stored in any number of locations, including withinthe set-top box 108, within a memory of a portable computer 124 coupledto the set-top box 108, within a call control center 204, within a PSTN102, or within an ISP 210.

In a particular embodiment, the set-top box 108 may include logic (suchas logic 120 in FIG. 1) to synchronize the PAB 118 to the PAB 128, tothe PAB 202, to the PAB 206, to the PAB 212, or to any combinationthereof. In another particular embodiment, the set-top box 108 mayinclude logic to generate and to transmit a missed call notification toa subscriber, such as by email, page, instant message, short messageservice (SMS) message, or any combination thereof.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system 300to provide enhanced caller identification in a Voice over InternetProtocol (VoIP) analog telephony adapter. The system 300 includes ananalog telephony adapter (ATA) 302, a PAB 304, a phone 112, and a callerID device 114. The ATA 302 is connected to the Internet 208, and coupledto a VoIP carrier 306 and to a PSTN 102. The ATA may also include a calllog 308 to store caller ID information for each received call. Ingeneral, an ATA 302 is a device to connect one or more analog telephonesto a VoIP carrier 306. The ATA 302 may be a small device with a poweradapter, an Ethernet port, and one or more foreign exchange station(FXS) telephone ports, which may be coupled to one or more telephones112 or caller ID devices 114, transparently to the VoIP network. The FXSis a telephone interface that provides power, provides a dial-tone, andgenerates a ringing voltage for use by standard analog telephones.

In operation, a calling party 310 dials a telephone number associatedwith the ATA 302. The call is received at the PSTN 102. The callingnumber and the billing name can either be put together in the PSTN 102via the LIDB 106 and passed to the VoIP carrier 306 or the VoIP carriercan pull the information from the LIDB 106, directly. The VoIP carrier306 passes the call information to the subscriber's ATA 302 via theInternet 208. The ATA 302 matches inbound calling telephone numbers to aPAB 304, which may be internal or external to the ATA 302. If a match isfound the PAB 304, the billing name associated with the calling numberis replaced by a display name from the matching PAB entry. If no matchis found, the subscriber's ATA provides the information from the LIDB106 to the subscriber's phone 112, to the subscriber's caller ID device,or any combination thereof. In either case, the caller ID information iswritten to the call log 308, either with the calling number and billingname from the LIDB or with the calling number and the display name fromthe PAB 304.

Depending on the implementation, it should be appreciated that the PAB304 may be stored in a memory of a portable computer (such as computer124 in FIGS. 1 and 2) that may be coupled to the ATA 302. Alternatively,the PAB 304 may be stored in an Internet service provider of theInternet 208. In another embodiment, the PAB 304 may be stored by theVoIP carrier 306 or by the PSTN 102. The ATA 302 may be configured toaccess one or more PABs by a customer or by a provider servicetechnician during installation.

The ATAs 302 may include a built-in web server, which can be utilized tohost a user interface to configure settings for the ATA 302, such as asearch order for one or more PABs, logical addresses for the one or morePABs, and the like. Additionally, the web server may be utilized to hostcall log capabilities, including defining a logical address to storecall log information in a call log 308. The ATA 302 may also provide auser interface to display the call log information.

The ATA 302 may include logic to record a voice-mail message from acaller and to transmit a missed call notification to a subscriber. Themissed call notification may include the voice-mail message as anattachment and may include a subject line that includes the modifiedcaller information in a subject line, for example.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an illustrative embodiment of a system 400to provide enhanced caller identification via a multi-function unitusing a personal address book. The system 400 includes a multi-functionunit 402 including a PAB 404, a user interface 406, a network interface408, and logic 410. The customer premises 104 may include themulti-function unit 402, a set-top box 108, a television 110, a VoIPphone 412, an analog phone 112, a caller ID device 114, and a portablecomputer 124. A home network 126 may connect the multi-function unit402, the VoIP phone 412, and the portable computer 124 to the Internet208. As shown, the PSTN 102 includes an LIDB 106, the VoIP carrier 306includes a PAB 416, and the ISP 210 includes a PAB 212.

In operation, a call with caller ID information is provided to the homenetwork 126 via the Internet 208 from, for example, the VoIP carrier306. The logic 410 within the multi-function unit 402 may be adapted tosearch one or PABs, such as PAB 404, PAB 118, PAB 128, PAB 212, and PAB416, in a user-specified order to identify a matching number. If a matchis found, the caller ID information is modified to include a displayname or alias from the PAB, and the calling number and display name arestored in the call log 118 or 130, in a call log (not shown) of themulti-function unit 402, or in any combination thereof. If no match isfound, the calling number and billing name from the LIDB 106 may beprovided to the television 110 via set-top box 108, to the caller IDdevice 114, to the analog phone 112, to the VoIP phone 412, or to anycombination thereof. The calling number and the billing name are storedin the call log 118 or 130, in a call log (not shown) of themulti-function unit 402, or any combination thereof.

In one particular embodiment, the multi-function unit 402 includes thePAB 404. In another embodiment, the multi-function unit 402 is adaptedto utilize the PAB 128 and the call log 130 of the portable computer 124via the home network 126. In another particular embodiment, themulti-function unit 402 includes logic 410 to synchronize the PAB 404 tothe PAB 128 of the portable computer 124 via the home network 126. In aparticular embodiment, the logic 410 synchronizes the PAB 404 to the PAB128 during periods of call inactivity. In another particular embodiment,the logic 410 synchronizes the PAB 404 to the PAB 128 periodically,either at a user-specified time, at a default time, or afterpre-determined time intervals (such as every 8 hours).

In yet another particular embodiment, the multi-function unit 402includes logic 410 to generate a missed call notification to asubscriber when the subscriber does not answer an in-coming call. Themissed call notification may include a date and time of the missed call,a calling number, and either a display name from one of the PABs (416,212, 404, 118, or 128) or a calling name from an LIDB 106. In oneembodiment, the logic 410 may be adapted to record a voice-mail messagefrom a caller and to attach the recorded voice-mail as an attachment tothe missed call notification.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system 500 including a multi-functionunit 504 to provide enhanced caller identification functions. The system500 includes a display 110, a network 502, a multi-function unit or box504, and a phone 506. The multi-function unit 504 includes a networkinterface 508, a processor 510, a PAB 512, and a call log 514. Themulti-function unit 504 is connected to the network 502, such as a PSTN,the Internet, and the like, via the network interface 508 to receivetelephone calls and caller ID information.

The processor 510 of the multi-function unit 504 is adapted to executeprocessor readable instructions to search the PAB 512 for a matchingentry to an incoming call, to execute instructions to replace the callerID information with a display name from the PAB 512 if a match is found,and instructions to provide the modified caller ID information to thedisplay 110. Additionally, the caller ID information may be recorded inthe call log 514.

In operation, the multi-function box 504 receives a call, including acalling number and optionally a billing name, from the network 502 vianetwork interface 508. The processor 510 searches the PAB 512 for aphone number that matches the calling number. If a match is found, theprocessor 510 replaces a billing name or supplements the calling numberwith a display name from the PAB 512, stores the calling number anddisplay name in the call log 514, and provides the calling number andthe display name to the display device 110. As shown, the display device110 may display the calling number and display name in a pop up or slideup display box 516. In the particular embodiment shown, the display nameis “Uncle Bob,” which corresponds to the phone number “(512) 555-1212.”

In one particular embodiment, the phone may be adapted with a caller IDfunction, and the multi-function box 504 may replace the caller IDinformation for display by the phone 506 as well as the display device110.

In a particular embodiment, the processor 510 may be adapted to executeinstructions to provide a missed call notification, such as an emailmessage, instant message, text message, pager message, or anycombination thereof, to a subscriber, when a call is not answered. Themissed call notification may include the calling number and the displayname associated with the calling number in the PAB 512. The processor510 may also execute instructions to record a voice message of thecaller and to attach the voice message as an attachment to the missedcall notification.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a method of providing enhanced calleridentification using a personal address book. An incoming call isreceived from a PSTN including a calling number and optionally a callername (block 600). The calling number is compared to numbers stored in apersonal address book (block 602). If the calling number is not in thePAB (block 604), the residential telephone is rung and the caller namefrom the PSTN is supplied to a display device (block 606), which may bea television, a caller ID device, a telephone with caller ID functions,or any combination thereof. The calling number and the caller name arestored in a call log (block 610). Alternatively, if the calling numberis in the PAB (block 604), the residential telephone is rung and thecalling number and a caller name from the PAB are supplied to a displaydevice (block 608), which may be a television, a caller ID device, atelephone with caller ID functions, or any combination thereof. Thecalling number and the caller name from the PAB are stored in a calllog.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a method of providing enhanced calleridentification using a personal address book at a server. A call requestfrom a calling number to a called number is received at a network (block700). The server checks preferences associated with the call number(block 702). The preferences may include a location of a PAB, types ofservices for the called number, an order of PABs to be searched, or anycombination thereof. If there is no personal address book (block 704),the call is routed to the called number and the server supplies thecalling number and optionally a caller name from the LIDB (block 706).If there is a personal address book (block 704), the server searches thepersonal address book associated with the called number for a match tothe calling number (block 708). It should be understood that the servermay be a server of a PSTN, a server of a VoIP service provider, a serverof a customer premises (with a shared directory accessible to a serviceprovider), or any combination thereof. Moreover, it should be understoodthat the server may provide calling services for multiple customers, andthat the server may host a plurality of PABs, where each PAB isassociated with at least one called number.

If there is no match between the calling number and a number in the PAB(block 710), the call is routed to the called number and the serversupplies the calling number and optionally a caller name from the LIDB(block 706). If there is a match (block 710), the caller name from theLIDB is replaced with an alias or name from the PAB (block 712). Thecall is routed to the called number, and the calling number and thealias from the PAB are supplied with the call (block 714).

FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a method of configuring a multi-functionunit to perform the enhanced caller identification using one or morepersonal address books according to user preferences. A user interfaceis provided to receive user inputs related to a PAB (block 800). A userinput is received via the user interface to identify a logical addressof one or more personal address books (block 802). If there is only onePAB (block 804), the logical address of the PAB is stored in a memory(block 806). If there are multiple PABs (block 806), a user interface isprovided to receive a search order for the PABs (block 808). The searchorder of the personal address books is stored (block 810).

Referring to FIG. 9, an illustrative embodiment of a general computersystem is shown and is designated 900. The computer system 900 caninclude a set of instructions that can be executed to cause the computersystem 900 to perform any one or more of the methods or computer basedfunctions disclosed herein. The computer system 900 may operate as astandalone device or may be connected, e.g., using a network, to othercomputer systems or peripheral devices.

In a networked deployment, the computer system may operate in thecapacity of a server or as a client user computer in a server-clientuser network environment, or as a peer computer system in a peer-to-peer(or distributed) network environment. The computer system 900 can alsobe implemented as or incorporated into various devices, such as apersonal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a set-top box (STB), a personaldigital assistant (PDA), a mobile device, a palmtop computer, a laptopcomputer, a desktop computer, a communications device, a wirelesstelephone, a land-line telephone, a control system, a camera, a scanner,a facsimile machine, a printer, a pager, a personal trusted device, aweb appliance, a network router, switch or bridge, or any other machinecapable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise)that specify actions to be taken by that machine. In a particularembodiment, the computer system 900 can be implemented using electronicdevices that provide voice, video or data communication. Further, whilea single computer system 900 is illustrated, the term “system” shallalso be taken to include any collection of systems or sub-systems thatindividually or jointly execute a set, or multiple sets, of instructionsto perform one or more computer functions.

As illustrated in FIG. 9, the computer system 900 may include aprocessor 902, e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU), or both. Moreover, the computer system 900 caninclude a main memory 904 and a static memory 906, which can communicatewith each other via a bus 908. As shown, the computer system 900 mayfurther include a video display unit 910, such as a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), an organic light emitting diode (OLED), a flat paneldisplay, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT).Additionally, the computer system 900 may include an input device 912,such as a keyboard, and a cursor control device 914, such as a mouse.The computer system 900 can also include a disk drive unit 916, a signalgeneration device 918, such as a speaker or remote control, and anetwork interface device 920.

In a particular embodiment, as depicted in FIG. 9, the disk drive unit916 may include a computer-readable medium 922 in which one or more setsof instructions 924, e.g. software, can be embedded. Further, theinstructions 924 may embody one or more of the methods or logic asdescribed herein. In a particular embodiment, the instructions 924 mayreside completely, or at least partially, within the main memory 904,the static memory 906, and/or within the processor 902 during executionby the computer system 900. The main memory 904 and the processor 902also may include computer-readable media.

In an alternative embodiment, dedicated hardware implementations, suchas application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arraysand other hardware devices, can be constructed to implement one or moreof the methods described herein. Applications that may include theapparatus and systems of various embodiments can broadly include avariety of electronic and computer systems. One or more embodimentsdescribed herein may implement functions using two or more specificinterconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and datasignals that can be communicated between and through the modules, or asportions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Accordingly, thepresent system encompasses software, firmware, and hardwareimplementations.

In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, themethods described herein may be implemented by software programsexecutable by a computer system. Further, in an exemplary, non-limitedembodiment, implementations can include distributed processing,component/object distributed processing, and parallel processing.Alternatively, virtual computer system processing can be constructed toimplement one or more of the methods or functionality as describedherein.

The present disclosure contemplates a computer-readable medium thatincludes instructions 924 or receives and executes instructions 924responsive to a propagated signal, so that a device connected to anetwork 926 can communicate voice, video or data over the network 926.Further, the instructions 924 may be transmitted or received over thenetwork 926 via the network interface device 920.

While the computer-readable medium is shown to be a single medium, theterm “computer-readable medium” includes a single medium or multiplemedia, such as a centralized or distributed database, and/or associatedcaches and servers that store one or more sets of instructions. The term“computer-readable medium” shall also include any medium that is capableof storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution bya processor or that cause a computer system to perform any one or moreof the methods or operations disclosed herein.

In a particular non-limiting, exemplary embodiment, thecomputer-readable medium can include a solid-state memory such as amemory card or other package that houses one or more non-volatileread-only memories. Further, the computer-readable medium can be arandom access memory or other volatile re-writable memory. Additionally,the computer-readable medium can include a magneto-optical or opticalmedium, such as a disk or tapes or other storage device to capturecarrier wave signals such as a signal communicated over a transmissionmedium. A digital file attachment to an e-mail or other self-containedinformation archive or set of archives may be considered a distributionmedium that is equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, thedisclosure is considered to include any one or more of acomputer-readable medium or a distribution medium and other equivalentsand successor media, in which data or instructions may be stored.

Although the present specification describes components and functionsthat may be implemented in particular embodiments with reference toparticular standards and protocols, the invention is not limited to suchstandards and protocols. For example, standards for Internet and otherpacket switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP)represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards areperiodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents havingessentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards andprotocols having the same or similar functions as those disclosed hereinare considered equivalents thereof.

The illustrations of the embodiments described herein are intended toprovide a general understanding of the structure of the variousembodiments. The illustrations are not intended to serve as a completedescription of all of the elements and features of apparatus and systemsthat utilize the structures or methods described herein. Many otherembodiments may be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewingthe disclosure. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived from thedisclosure, such that structural and logical substitutions and changesmay be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure.Additionally, the illustrations are merely representational and may notbe drawn to scale. Certain proportions within the illustrations may beexaggerated, while other proportions may be minimized. Accordingly, thedisclosure and the figures are to be regarded as illustrative ratherthan restrictive.

One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein,individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely forconvenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of thisapplication to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover,although specific embodiments have been illustrated and describedherein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangementdesigned to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted forthe specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover anyand all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments.Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments notspecifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in theart upon reviewing the description.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R.§1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not beused to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. Inaddition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may begrouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose ofstreamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted asreflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require morefeatures than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as thefollowing claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed toless than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus,the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description,with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimedsubject matter.

The above-disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, andnot restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all suchmodifications, enhancements, and other embodiments, which fall withinthe true spirit and scope of the present invention. Thus, to the maximumextent allowed by law, the scope of the present invention is to bedetermined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the followingclaims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited bythe foregoing detailed description.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method comprising: receiving at a set-top box acall signal including a caller identifier from a network, the calleridentifier including a calling number; searching a plurality of personaladdress books in a user-specified order until the calling number isfound in a particular one of the plurality of personal address books;retrieving an alias associated with the calling number from theparticular one of the plurality of personal address books; andtransmitting a modified caller identifier including the calling numberand the alias to a display device.
 2. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: receiving video data from a network when the call signal isreceived; and transmitting the video data and the modified calleridentifier to the display device.
 3. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising: storing calling numbers and associated alias information ina second personal address book; and synchronizing, during a period ofcall inactivity, the particular one of the plurality of personal addressbooks to the second personal address book in a memory coupled to theset-top box.
 4. The method of claim 1, further comprising generating auser interface to receive user inputs to configure caller identificationdisplay options of the set-top box.
 5. The method of claim 1, furthercomprising generating a user interface to configure the set-top box toaccess the plurality of personal address books in a particular order. 6.A set-top box comprising: a memory to store one or more personal addressbooks; a user interface to configure the logic to access the one or morepersonal address books in a user-specified order; and the logic coupledto a display device, to the memory, and to a public switched telephonenetwork, the logic configured to: receive a call signal including acalling number from the public switched telephone network; search theone or more personal address books in the user-specified order for thecalling number until the calling number is found in a particularpersonal address book; retrieve a display name from the particularpersonal address book corresponding to the calling number; and transmitthe calling number and the display name to the display device.
 7. Theset-top box of claim 6, wherein the logic is adapted to receive videodata from a network, the logic to transmit the video data to the displaydevice.
 8. The set-top box of claim 6, wherein the logic is adapted tosynchronize the particular personal address book to a second personaladdress book.
 9. The set-top box of claim 6, further comprising anetwork interface to couple the set-top box to a local area network,wherein the logic is adapted to send a missed call notificationincluding the calling number and the display name to a user via thenetwork interface.
 10. The set-top box of claim 6, further comprising: acall log to store received call information; wherein the logic isadapted to generate a log entry in the call log, the log entry includingthe calling number and one of the display name and a billing name.